Illuminated umbrella



April l1, 1967 E. L.. scr-uAvcNE ILLUMINATED UMBRELLA Filed Deo. 4, 19643 m l T 3 m 3 nu v e M 3 V J W 1 w L. l m u JHM I.) m .L 2 .8 7 4 2l J.7.. 6 f l HU o 9 u 3 F Z/m T w 1 United States Patent O 3,313,929ILLUMINATED UMBRELLA Edward L. Schiavone, 10502 Insley St., SilverSpring, Md. 20902 Filed Dec. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 415,931 1 Claim. (Cl.240--2) This invention relates to outdoor furniture, and moreparticularly to an umbrella of the type used fat the beach or on thelawn to provide shelter against the sun in the daytime but which alsocan be used Ias a highly decorative article at night.

More particularly, one of the objects of this invention is to provide 'abeach umbrella having a self contained source of illumination which canprovide an ornamental light for evening social gatherings.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which willmore efficiently provide a source of shade against the sunlight duringthe daytime hours and which will also provide a source of diffusedillumination for the evening hours.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form offluorescent electric tubular llamp bulb which can be supported by asingle socket position at one end.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the tart after reading the following specication inconnection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a cross-sectional elevation of a preferred form of illuminatedumbrella constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section on an enlarged scale of the upperportion of the umbrella pole showing the arrangement for mounting afluorescent tube within the pole; FIG. 3 is a crosssection taken on theline 3--3 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section on anenlarged scale of the fabric covering for the umbrella.

Turning now to a detailed descn'ption of the invention, the numeralindicates an elongated tubular pole which provides the main support forthe umbrella, which can be fabricated of steel or one of the lightmetals, such as aluminum or magnesium.

As is the usual `case with so-called beach umbrellas, the lower end ofthe pole 11 may be pointed to facilitate planting the umbrella in thesand or the soil where it is to be used.

Secured at the upper end of the pole is a flange 12, provided with aseries of radially arranged eyes 13 to provide pivotal connections forthe flexible ribs 14. A ferrule 15, slidable .on the pole, providespivotal support 16 for the lower ends of a series of struts 17, theupper ends of these struts having the usual pivotal connections 18 at amedial point of each of the ribs 14. Attached to the ribs is asemi-spherical fabric covering indicated generally by numeral 19, andretractable detent means 20, attached to the pole 110, holds thelferrule in the proper position to support the fabric in its outspreadposition when the umbrella is opened -as shown in FIG. l.

For at least a portion -of the distance betwen the flange 12 and thelower position of the ferrule 15, a series of longitudinally extendingcircumferentially spaced openings 21 are provided in the pole 10. Theseopenings, or windows, are designed to give as much exposure as ispossible to Ia tubular source of light 22 contained within ice the polein alignment with the openings. This light source can be either anincandescant, or fluorescent electric lamp. While the longitudinalopening would provide for la maximum distribution of light, it will beevident that decorative effects may be secured by substituting a seriesof circular openings, or random patterns of geometrically designedopenings, or the like.

Support for a fluorescent lamp 22 may be provided by the insertion intothe pole from its upper end, of a circular socket 23 for engagement withthe electrical connectors 24 lat one end of the lamp. The socket can bepositioned in the pole, either by means of spot welding, or by an inwarddeformation of the pole itself such as by spinning an annular bead,indicated by numeral 25. After the lower end of the fluorescent tube hasbeen inserted in the socket, a second socket 26 can be inserted into thepole and `connected with the other set of connectors 27. The top of thepole is preferably closed by a threaded cap 28, while the lamp assemblyis secured in place by means of a coil spring 29 positioned between thecap and the upper socket.

While it would be possible to contain the usual starter and ballastmechanisms for the fluorescent lampI within the pole itself, in the formof umbrella shown in the drawings these devices are provided elsewhereand a four wire electrical cable 30, having a connector plug 31 forattachment to an appropriate starting and lighting circuit is introducedinto the interior of the pole through an opening 32 so that one pair ofconductors may be connected with the socket 23 while the other pair ofconnectors extends upwardly, as indicated by numeral 33 to connect withthe upper socket 26.

When the tubular light is turned on its illumination will pass throughthe openings 21 to provide a substantially uniform area of light aboutthe entire 360 degree 'area around the pole sufficient to provideillumination Ifor nearby objects. Light falling on the underside of thefabric covering 19 will also cause the fabric to take on a subdued glowwhen viewed from a distance. In addition the appearance of the umbrellacan .be enhanced if multi-colored panels are used in this covering ordesigns coated thereon. Furthermore if it is desired to increase theamount of light supplied to the area below the umbrella the underside ofthe fabric may be covered with a reflectorized coating 34 such :as aflexible paint containing dispersed aluminum particles.

Having disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention it will beevident that various changes and improvements may be made by thoseskilled in the art which would come within the scope of the annexedclaim.

I claim:

An illuminated umbrella comprising, a tubular supporting member, aretractable canopy assembly having a lightreflective lower surfacesupported at one end of the tubular member, a removable cap meansclosing said one end of the tubular member, an elongated electric lampmeans contained within said tubular member adjacent said one end, Pfirstand second socket means within the tubular member supporting the lampmeans, at the respective ends thereof, `and resilient means bearinglongitudinally against one of the socket means for holding the lampmeans in place, said tubular member having la plurality of slottedopenings for viewing said lamp means.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Beatty 240-642 Goldberg 2406A2 Finkel 24U-6.42

Olds 240-13 Brennan et al. 24U-6.42

Evans 240-6.42

3,124,307 3/1964 Hoskins et al. 24U-11.4 3,179,792 4/1965 Weiss24U-411.4

FOREIGN PATENTS 105,924 3/ 1927 Austria.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner.

